Common issues

Most issues that horses develop are man made or pain issues, they often aren’t behaviour issues but owner issues. Issues can “come with” horses, and/or can develop unexpectedly. Many issues are actually very similar and start with a communication problem, your horse doesn’t understand what you want, or you aren’t listening to what your horse needs. Horses don’t instinctively “know” for instance, that they must stand still and be accepting of that leather thing being put on their head, they learn what you want when you communicate effectively with them. Many issues related to pain and fear are resolved when we listen to what our horses are trying to communicate to us, instead of trying to “fix” his “bad” behaviour. Most issues fall away with better communication and a better relationship, but some can hang around. Luckily there is a wealth of knowledge out there to help address all issues, but remember to always go back and check your basics first. It is surprisingly easy to create an issue in your horse, but luckily most issues can be resolved simply. 

How bridling issues disappear

Very often the biggest issue a horse has with bridling is that we are making it harder for them than it needs to be. If we take a closer look at how we are bridling the horse, we can instantly “fix” a lot of issues.

Is this horse really bad to bridle?

This is one of my mares Sparky. She is a fantastic horse but she can be a bit picky sometimes. She is not as forgiving as some horses and thinks she is a princess horse, and should be treated accordingly! In this video you can really see the difference asking first can make.

Working with a herd bound horse

A herd bound horse can be one of the most frustrating things to deal with. It really hinders the development of a good relationship, when the horse is so worried about being away from her horse buddies. Instead of trying to make the horse forget about their paddock mate, freework can help the horse realise that they can have a real connection with you. Then your company can be enough to make them feel safe and secure.

Help for head-shy horse

This sweet two year old mare had had very limited handling, and was very unsure about any abrupt or intense movements around her head and face. It’s very important to teach her how to respond to that situation now, or else it could easily become a bad pattern, and develop into a big issue for her in the future.